HONG KONG: Award-winning Malaysian singer Gary Chaw and Hong Kongartiste Justin Lo are normally the best of friends. But the two popstars turned into the worst of enemies during a roadside brawl afterdrinks at a pub here.

The local paparazzi were rewarded with dramatic photos of Chaw and Lopunching each other and Chaw kicking Lo while the latter was in theback seat of a taxi.

Lo, better known as Zak Tin, was even invited as the guest singer atChaw’s concert in Malaysia last year.

On Tuesday night, they had gone for a drink at a pub with severalfriends at Central district.When they're not fighting: Lo (right) appeared as a guest singer atChaw’s concert in Kuala Lumpur last year.

At about 1am, Chaw left the pub in anger while Lo followed with a “redface”. They then had a heated argument by the roadside.

Hong Kong’s Oriental Daily News reported that Chaw punched Lo until hecollapsed on the side of the road.

Lo got up and fought back. After a while, they were pulled apart bytheir friends.

In a dramatic turn of events, the duo left in a taxi together with twomale friends but the vehicle made an emergency stop soon after.

Chaw alighted and was seen jumping on the street and calling out to Loto step out for a one-on-one fight. The latter refused.

The 30-year-old Malaysian then kicked at Lo who was in the back seat.

After a while, the 33-year-old Lo got off and was seen grimacing inpain, using his hands to cover his groin.

Then Chaw grabbed a road sign and attempted to hit Lo with it, but wasstopped by their friends.

Half-an-hour later, both of them left separately accompanied byfriends. Chaw behaved as though nothing had happened during aninterview with a Hong Kong radio station on Wednesday. He only talkedabout his concert in November.

At a press conference in Hong Kong last night though, Chaw apologisedto Lo for his act.

“I have no excuses, no reasons. I am wrong. I am willing to takewhatever responsibility, punishment....

“Justin had never wanted to hurt me with his actions. It is veryobvious this is not a fight ... it was me who lost control,” he said.

Chaw, who was born in Sabah, was sent to study in Canada when he wasonly nine. He returned home and participated in an Astro singingcontest in 1999 but lost.

Later, he was signed up by a recording company and released his albumXiao Wo Ben (Laugh at my stupidity).

Lo, who is also a song-writer and record producer born in America, wassigned up as a singer in 2005.

The same year, his debut album Justin was released and became a hitwith 15,000 copies sold on the first day. He held his debut concert atthe Hong Kong Coliseum the next year and the tickets were sold outwithin 10 minutes.